According to the extras on the blu-ray, Hood wanted the whole film to look like that opening credits sequence - which, regardless of how the rest of the film wound up, was a pretty cool sequence. Who knows what else happened, other than presumably a lot of bad studio interference.

__________________”We live in times when hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall, and light from dying embers: remembrances that hope and love last longer. And love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside."